Legislature(2001 - 2002)
04/15/2002 04:07 PM Senate FIN
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 403(FIN) am(brf sup maj fld)(efd fld)
"An Act making appropriations for the operating and loan
program expenses of state government, for certain programs,
and to capitalize funds."
SENATE BILL NO. 289
"An Act making appropriations for the operating and loan
program expenses of state government, for certain programs,
and to capitalize funds; making appropriations under art. IX,
sec. 17(c), Constitution of the State of Alaska, from the
constitutional budget reserve fund; and providing for an
effective date."
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 404(FIN)
"An Act making appropriations for the operating and capital
expenses of the state's integrated comprehensive mental health
program; and providing for an effective date."
SENATE BILL NO. 288
"An Act making appropriations for the operating and capital
expenses of the state's integrated comprehensive mental health
program; and providing for an effective date."
Co-Chair Donley announced no public testimony would be taken at
this meeting.
[Note: The budget subcommittee reports cited are on file.]
Department of Administration
Senator Ward, Chair
Senator Taylor
Senator Elton
SUE ANN BEIERLY, staff to Senator Ward, presented the subcommittee
report as follows.
The FY 03 General Fund allocation for the Department of
Administration is $156,029,900. The Subcommittee began with
the Senate Intro Bill and made the following decrements,
increments and fund source changes to meet our General Fund
(GF) allocation.
The largest unallocated reduction was initially included
in the Senate Intro bill for $1,316,900. This entire
amount has been spread back to the components that have
General Funds in Personal Services.
The House had taken an additional $85,000 in unallocated
travel reductions. The Senate Subcommittee did not accept
this unallocated reduction; instead, the $85,000 GF cut
was spread between Personnel travel ($9,000), Public
Broadcasting Radio ($69,900), and Public Defender
Agency travel ($6,100).
Senior Services:
$364,300 Assisted Living Rate Increase (GF)
$ 39,500 Eligibility Position for General Relief
& Medicaid Clients (GF)
$491,000 Fund switch to GF for General
Relief/Assisted Living Program with a
subsequent reduction in MHTAAR funds
$ 75,500 Non-Permanent Position for Coordinated
Public Awareness & Education
(MHTAAR Funds)
Retirement & Benefits: $792,300 (Other Funds) Additions
to the Division of Retirement and Benefits for various
systems enhancements and increases due to retiree and
benefit programs.
Leases: $3,684,800 (GF and Other Funds ) Full funding
for the Anchorage Jail Lease and increases for lease
obligations ($1,500,000 GF) and increased authority to
receive receipts from tenant agencies ($2,184,800 Other
Funds)
State Owned Facilities: $680,700 (Other Funds) State
Owned Facilities Public Building Operations Costs
Information Technology Group: $12,650,000 (Other Funds)
Increased expenditure authority to handle pass-through
moneys from other state agencies for services provided by
the state's new telecommunications partner
Risk Management: ($1,064,400)(Other Funds) Increased
Cost of Risk for Workers' Compensation and Other
Insurance
Alaska Longevity Programs Management: ($50,000) (Other
Funds) Partial Funding for Geriatric Nurse Consultant
Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission: $680,600
(Other Funds) Increases for additional drilling
activity costs and for salary adjustments and position
reclassification costs
Summary
Reductions in General Fund expenditures necessary to meet the
Department's General Fund allocation of $159,026,900 were met.
Approving the Department's other requested changes in funding
and authorization brings the Department's total operating
budget for FY 03 to $300,514,400.
Senator Austerman informed the Committee that the Department of
Military and Veterans Affairs and the Department of Labor and
Workforce Development budget recommendations would return to the
subcommittees for reconsideration.
Department of Environmental Conservation
Senator Leman, Chair
Senator Torgerson
Senator Olson
Senator Leman testified the subcommittee recommendation is within
the general fund spending limitation established by the Senate
Majority. He listed the Governor's request of $55,059,300 compared
to $53,303,600 allocated in FY 02. He stated the subcommittee
recommendation "generally disallowed most of the increments", did
not provide increased funding for travel, and in most components,
reduced the appropriation for travel. He noted the Department's
travel budget would be $2.8 million, which is $200,000 more than
allocated in FY 02.
Senator Leman stated the subcommittee's directive to the Department
is to plan travel as far in advance whenever possible to obtain
lower fares.
Senator Leman noted the subcommittee recommends holding harmless
the Industry Preparedness and Pipeline Response component,
recommends increased travel funding and recommends continued
appropriation of $600,000 from the BP/ARCO charter agreement for
increased North Slope oversight.
Senator Leman commented that the Department "targeted" its water
program several years ago, although not at the direction of the
Legislature. As a result, he stated that neither the House of
Representatives nor the Senate Finance budget subcommittee
recommends unallocated budget reductions for this program in FY 03
to avoid the complications incurred earlier.
Senator Leman noted the Food Safety and Sanitation program
continues to be "problematic". He informed the subcommittee
recommended utilizing a portion of the homeland security funds to
replace general funds for this program, but was informed by the
Department this is not possible. However, he noted the Budget
Request Unit (BRU) is funded at approximately 70 percent not
including homeland security funds, and if it were confirmed these
funds could not be utilized, he would recommend receipt-supported
services to fund the remainder of the program. He expressed intent
in the future to transfer these duties in larger communities to
local governments.
Department of Corrections
Senator Ward, Chair
Senator Cowdery
Senator Therriault
Senator Lincoln
LORETTA BROWN, Staff to Senator Ward, presented the subcommittee
report as follows.
The FY 03 General Fund allocation for the Department of
Corrections is $148,268,500. The Subcommittee began with the
Senate Intro Bill and made the following decrements,
increments and fund changes to meet our General Fund (GF)
allocation.
The unallocated reduction associated with GF labor costs
in the Commissioner's Office was distributed to all
components affected.
Lost Federal Violent Offenders Incarceration (VOI) and
State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP) funds
were replaced with GF. We replaced 2.9 million VOI funds
and 1.1 million SCAAP funds.
The new Anchorage Jail received a 1.8 million GF
increment to fund the start up. The Sixth Avenue
Correctional Center budget was transferred to the
Anchorage Jail.
638.8 thousand in new PFD funds was allowed for the
continuation of the Department's MIS development program.
The subcommittee honored the second year of a three-year
commitment with the Mental Health Trust to fund a sub-
acute and juvenile offender unit at Spring Creek
Correctional Center by switching 25 thousand MHTAAR with
State GF.
A weighted reduction in general funds was taken in each
component with the exception of Community Residential
Centers (CRC) in order to meet the general fund
allocation.
Other changes in authority and funding that did not
affect GF were accepted and incorporate into the
Subcommittee's Proposed Operating Budget
Summary
Reductions in General Fund expenditures necessary to meet the
Department's General Fund allocation of $148,268,500 were met.
Approving the Department's other requested changes in funding
and authorization brings the Department's total operating
budget for FY 03 to $174,274,000.
Co-Chair Donley noted the Senate Majority target funding is several
million dollars greater than approved by the House of
Representatives.
Senator Ward explained the House of Representatives version of the
budget relies on funding community jails with funds from the
permanent fund as stipulated in HB 20. He stated the Senate Finance
budget subcommittee recommends funding the community jails with
general funds.
Department of Community and Economic Development
Senator Kelly, Chair
Senator Phillips
Senator Torgerson
Senator Lincoln
Co-Chair Kelly testified the Senate Majority general fund limit for
FY 03 is $2,601,300 less than the FY 02 Management Plan. He
described how this was accomplished by citing the subcommittee
report as follows.
There has been an updating of the DCED cost allocation plan.
This has resulted in $22,400 in Receipt Supported Services
from Investments and $13,700 in Commercial Fishing Revolving
Loan funds from Banking, Securities and Corporations being
transferred to the Commissioner's Office component. This
allows for a reduction of $36,100 in GF. This also results in
$108.200 in Receipt Supported Services from Investments and
$138,900 in Commercial Fishing Loan Fund receipts from
Banking, Securities and Corporations being transferred to the
Admin Services component. This allows for a reduction of
$247,100 in GF.
In an attempt to have programs that bring in revenue pay for
themselves and others that benefit them. Business License
Receipts (BLR) will be used in three different components.
There is a fund source switch of $546,600 from GF/PR to BLR in
Occupational Licensing. There is a fund source switch of
$300,000 from International Trade and Development funds to BLR
in International Trade and Market Development. And there is a
fund source switch of $1,053,400 from GF to BLR in
International Trade and Market Development.
In the Qualified Trade Association Contract, there is
recommended a decrement of $600,000 in general funds. This is
to bring the contract to $4,005,100, the state funding level
called for in statute and recommended by the Governor's
budget.
In the Department of Community and Economic Development State
Rent component, there is a $188,900 increment in I/A Receipts
coming in to pay for state rent. These funds are $74,700 in
receipt supported services from Occupational Licensing,
$57,600 in receipt supported services from Insurance
Operations, $42,600 in receipt supported services from
Banking, Securities and Corporations and $14,300 in Commercial
Fishing Revolving Loan funds from Investments.
In the Commissioner's Office there has been a department wide
unallocated reduction of $284,100 that was necessary to reach
our allocation.
Co-Chair Donley surmised the subcommittee recommends fully funding
tourism marketing.
Co-Chair Kelly affirmed and clarified the funding would be provided
at the "agreed upon statutory level".
Department of Fish and Game
Senator Kelly, Chair
Senator Austerman
Senator Cowdery
Senator Halford
Senator Hoffman
Co-Chair Kelly noted the subcommittee recommended eliminating
certain services. He read from the subcommittee report as follows.
Commercial Fisheries
In the Westward Region Fisheries Management component, general
funds of $741,000 for the Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands
Shellfish Management Program have been eliminated. The State
is not statutorily required to manage this program and has
been doing it under delegation from the federal government.
There is almost $2 million in federal funding for this
program, although the expectation is that the federal
government will probably begin to hire their own people to
manage it.
In the Headquarters Fisheries Management component, general
funds of $744,700 for the Commercial Fisheries Genetics
Program have been eliminated. In weighing the possible
programs for elimination, this was lower on the priority list
for the Department. There is $815,000 in non-GF funds in this
program.
Wildlife Conservation
In the Wildlife Conservation Restoration Program, general
funds of $223,700 for Wildlife Conservation Non-Game Programs
have been reduced. This will result in a reduction in federal
funds into this program. However, there may be options to
replace the match with other funds and still receive the same
level of federal funding. This reduction was necessary to
reach our allocation for the department.
Co-Chair Kelly commented it was determined to eliminate these
programs rather than reduce funding for all programs.
Senator Austerman voiced concern about reducing funding for this
Department because it involves natural resources. He stressed that
in order to assert rights to manage these resources, Alaska must
have the ability to manage them. He also emphasized the importance
of managing renewable resources for the time when nonrenewable
resources are depleted. He warned that by eliminating the Westward
Region Fisheries Management component, the Legislature is
eliminating the State's ability to manage the crab fisheries in the
Bering Sea.
Senator Olson asked if the programs would be eliminated entirely.
Co-Chair Kelly affirmed the aforementioned programs would be
eliminated with the exception of the Wildlife Conservation Non-Game
Programs, which would be reduced. He qualified that the Department
indicated eliminating these programs is the preferred method to
operate with the proposed budget reductions.
Senator Olson asked if other "mechanisms" were available to assume
management of the shellfish.
Co-Chair Kelly answered yes, the federal government could undertake
these duties.
Department of Health and Social Services
Senator Green, Chair
Senator Kelly
Senator Therriault
Senator Davis
Senator Green presented the subcommittee recommendations as
follows.
After netting out the FY 02 supplementals and the double
counted "fair-share" and "pro-share" money in Medicaid, the
total real new spending for Health and Social Services is
around $105 million. Most of this increase is in Medicaid,
much of the increase in Medicaid is in community based
services for older Alaskans and Disabled Alaskans. This
increase will result in hundreds of new healthcare related
jobs throughout Alaska. Over the past ten years, the
population of Alaska has increased by about 20% while the
number of jobs in the healthcare industry has increased by
about 60%.
The Subcommittee budget supports efforts of the Legislature to
provide regional youth corrections facilities throughout
Alaska. Full operating funding for these facilities is
provided, including a full year of funding for the new
facility in Ketchikan.
The Subcommittee budget supports efforts to downsize API and
to operate API at its current level until new community
support infrastructure is developed.
The Subcommittee budget supports the efforts of this
Legislature to provide the necessary Social Workers to respond
to reports of harm.
The Subcommittee budget supports to the efforts of the
Legislature to respond to concerns over the nursing shortage
by funding increases to nurses' salaries.
The Subcommittee budget seeks to eliminate the need for
supplemental appropriations by funding formula programs nearly
at the requested level. Also by funding the Balloon Program
the budget seeks to reduce future foster care costs.
The Subcommittee budget addresses the need to increase
administrative efficiencies by cutting funding for
administrative functions in the Department by 3%-5%.
The Subcommittee budget reduces alcohol and drug abuse grants
by some 20%, while protecting some specific functions such as
the dual diagnosis program in Anchorage that helps keep people
out of API. These cuts need to be looked at in light of
increased direct federal and private foundation grants that
are used for these same clients and an increased use of
Medicaid funding to address these clients medical needs.
Tobacco cessation programs are funded at the current year
level. Additional tobacco settlement funds are being directed
to Medicaid to help fill the gap in match money that was left
when the Governor failed to request funds to cover the $10.8
million FMAP change
Senator Austerman asked about a statute passed the previous year
that stipulates 20 percent of the tobacco settlement funds be
appropriated to smoking cessation and tobacco prevention programs.
Senator Green replied the funding is the same as the year prior.
Department of Education and Early Development
Senator Wilken, Chair
Senator Torgerson
Senator Elton
Senator Wilken stated the total funding for this Department
recommended by the subcommittee is $992,500,000; of which
$748,523,000 is general funds, $179,000,000 is federal funds, and
$65,000,000 is other funds. He compared the general funding to
$723,804,000 in FY 01 and $754,442,000 in FY 02. He listed the
funding target established by the Senate Majority is $748,523,400
and includes pupil transportation and the foundation funding
formula. He stated this represents a .78 percent reduction in total
general funds and a 5.4 percent reduction in agency-only general
funds. He noted the Senate Majority amount is $465,000 more than
approved by the House of Representatives.
Senator Wilken read from the subcommittee report, specifically the
comments column of the spreadsheet titled, "Department of Education
and Early Development, Passed by the Finance Subcommittee on April
10, 2002, General Purpose Fund Group Only".
K-12 Support BRU
Foundation Program component
(1) Include $12,372,000 for Learning Opportunity Grants
(LOG) (in language section)
(2) Fund the Foundation Program at the FY 02 student
dollar level
(3) Reduction in GF due to increase required local
contribution and reduction of funding floor, an increased
PL874 payments
(4) Increase in Public School Trust Fund revenues
($665,700)
(5) Reduction of $500,000 GF to match the GF/PR amount
for Alyeska Central School Summer Program
Senator Wilken cited Summer 2000 enrollment for the Alyeska Central
School Summer Program was 4,170 courses at the beginning of the
summer; however only 33 percent of those courses were completed. He
noted the Department must provide staff and materials, whether a
course is completed or not. As a result, he informed, the
subcommittee proposes intent language to authorize the Department
to collect $100 per course. He surmised this would provide
financial incentive to complete courses.
Senator Wilken next pointed out the Tuition Students, Boarding Home
Grants, Youth in Detention, and Schools for the Handicapped
components within the K-12 Support BRU are each funded at the FY 02
Management Plan level. He noted the Community Schools component was
not funded in the House of Representatives approved budget,
although the Senate Finance budget subcommittee includes $300,000,
which is $200,000 less than appropriated in FY 02.
Senator Wilken stated subcommittee recommends fully funding the
Pupil Transportation BRU at $3.69 million. He remarked this amount
reflects the increases in negotiated contracts.
Senator Wilken then addressed the Executive Administration BRU,
directing attention to the proposed $30,000 reduction for personal
services and travel in the Commissioner's Office component. He
explained. "This is where the unallocated reduction for salaries is
imbedded." He summarized that the total budget, as recommended by
the subcommittee, contains a reduction of $710,600 in personal
services and travel divided between all BRUs.
Senator Wilken continued that the subcommittee recommends the
Special and Supplemental Service component in the Teaching and
Learning Support BRU receive the same funding as in FY 02. He
commented the Quality Schools component should receive partial
increment of $429,400 for McGraw-Hill contract costs for assessment
and bookmarking for the purposes of the high school graduation and
benchmark examinations. In addition, he said the subcommittee
recommends the Education Special Projects component maintain
$50,000 funding for the Alaska Minerals and Energy Resources
Education Fund (AMEREF) program.
Senator Wilken spoke to the Early Development BRU, noting the
subcommittee recommends transferring $350,000 general funds from
the Child Care Assistance and Licensing component to the Head Start
Grants component. He explained these funds replace one-time funding
with the net result that the Head Start Grants component remains at
the FY 02 Management Plan level. He furthered the subcommittee
recommends authorizing $3,859,100 Temporary Assistance for Needy
Families (TANF) funds from the Department of Health and Social
Services to the Child Care Assistance and Licensing component.
Senator Wilken commented the Children's Trust Programs BRU, the
Alaska Community Service BRU and the Alaska State Council on the
Arts component in the Commissions and Boards BRU are "insignificant
in this budget", and that the Education Support Services BRU
receives a reduction of $190,000 general funds for personal
services and travel, according to the subcommittee report.
Senator Wilken told the Committee that the subcommittee recommended
the House of Representatives proposal to replace $470,000 general
funds with Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education (ACPE)
funds and deleted $130,000 general funds for the Kotzebue Technical
Center BRU, Kotzebue Tech Operations Grants component.
Senator Wilken continued that the Alaska Vocational Technical
Center (AVTEC) BRU, AVTEC Operations component is suggested to
receive $75,000 fewer general funds from the FY 02 appropriation
and the Mt. Edgecumbe Boarding School BRU and component is
suggested to receive a reduction of $50,000 general funds; these
are to be taken from personal services and travel.
Senator Wilken stated the State Facilities Maintenance BRU, EED
State Facilities Rent component would maintain the FY 02 Management
Plan level of funding under the subcommittee's proposed budget.
Senator Wilken pointed out the subcommittee recommends the
elimination of the Statewide Library Electronic Doorway (SLED)
program within the Alaska Library and Museums BRU, Library
Operations component. He stated this could result in the loss of
one position at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks; however, "given
the budget constraints this may be the time to find other ways to
fund SLED".
Senator Wilken noted funding for the Student Loan Operations
component and the Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, Idaho
(WWAMI) Medical Education component in the Alaska Postsecondary
Education Commission BRU are transfers.
Senator Wilken detailed a handout he provided, which reads as
follows.
FY 03 K-12 Public Education GF Requirement
Change from FY 02 to FY 03
Based on Per Student Value of $4,010 per student
(dollars expressed in 1000s)
FY 02 Enrollment and Authorized Funding
Total Average Daily Membership 133,304
Total K-12 Education General Fund State Support
(including LOGs) $663,781.0
FY 03 Projected Enrollment and Funding
Projected Total Average Daily Membership
(Plus 151 New Students) 133,455
Projected K-12 Education General Fund State Support
(including LOGs) 656,921.9
Change from FY 02 to FY 03 ($6,859.1)
FY 03 K-12 Education Funding Formula
Increased General Fund Requirement
Increase State Support due to
Increase Enrollment
(151 Students) $764.4
Decrease in Federal Impact Aid
Deductible $94.9
Increase of Quality School Grant
due to New Student Enrollment $7.8
Total Increased General Fund Requirement $867.1
Decreased General Fund Requirement
Increase in Required Local Taxpayer
Effort
(4 mils/45% of Basic Need) ($5,916.6)
Transition Supplemental Funding ($1,143.9)
Increase in Public School Trust
Fund Support
(Results in GF Savings) ($665.7)
Total Decreased General Fund Requirement ($7,726.2)
Net General Fund Requirement ($6,859.1)
Senator Wilken suggested the fund savings reflected above should
remain in the K-12 Education BRU.
Senator Wilken then addressed the FY 02 Supplemental budget, noting
a $498,000 request for contractual obligations to McGraw Hill
relating to the high school graduation and benchmark examinations,
of which he is "fully supportive".
Senator Wilken next spoke to proposed intent language to accompany
the following components and to read as follows.
Teaching and Learning Support
Teaching Certification
Conditional Language
The amount appropriated by this appropriation includes
the unexpended and unobligated balance on June 30, 2002,
of the Department of Education and Early Development
receipts from teacher certification fees under AS
14.20.020(c).
Alyeska Central School
Intent
It is the intent of the legislature that Alyeska Central
School adopt course fees for its summer school program
that will encourage high school students to complete
required course assignments and to help offset the cost
of course materials and instruction.
It is also the intent of the legislature that Alyeska
Central School provide a partial fee refund upon
successful course completion.
AK Vocational Technical Center
Intent
It is the intent of the legislature that the $75.0
personal services and travel reduction not result in the
cancellation or delay of the Certified Nurse Assistant
Training Program offered by the Alaska Vocational
Technical Center.
Senator Wilken listed the "head count of this budget" is "plus 12",
although there is no general fund increase. He stated that
approximately 20 were requested and all generally funded increments
were denied, with the approved increases funded with federal funds.
Senator Wilken told of an error of $130,000 in the FY 02 operating
budget regarding SB 133 and relating to assessment of special
education children. He explained the 24-hour time lapse between the
budget closeout and passage of SB 133. He referenced a letter he
authored addressed to Co-Chair Donley addressing this matter [Copy
not provided] and informed that the same amount is contained in the
subcommittee's recommendation for FY 03. He remarked that the
Division of Legislative Finance agrees this amount should be
included in the FY 03 operating budget.
Department of Law
Senator Wilken, Chair
Senator Taylor
Senator Ellis
Senator Wilken listed the total agency expenditures in FY 01 at
$26,515,400; $26,737,100 in FY 02, and the Senate Majority
established amount for FY 03 of $25,132,900.
Senator Wilken cited recommended funding amounts from the
spreadsheet titled "Department of Law, Considered by the Finance
Subcommittee on April 12, 2002, General Purpose Fund Group Only" as
follows.
Office of the Attorney General ($161,500)
Criminal Division $13,558,800
Civil Division $7,309,800
Statehood Defense $1,114,500
Oil & Gas Litigation and Legal Services $2,721,300
Administration and Support $590,000
Senator Wilken next referenced the Change Detail spreadsheet [copy
on file], indicating that it summarizes the Governor's requested
amounts compared to the subcommittee recommendations.
Senator Wilken stated the subcommittee recommendations include
three additional positions.
Department of Revenue
Senator Leman, Chair
Senator Phillips
Senator Ellis
Senator Leman appreciated the constructive assistance from this
Department in developing the subcommittee budget recommendation.
Senator Leman listed the Governor's proposed FY 03 budget for this
Department is $12.7 million, the FY 02 Management Plan is $12.4
million and the FY 03 Senate Majority established amount is
approximately $11.7.
Senator Leman stated the subcommittee recommendation "generally did
not fund the general fund increment requests".
Senator Leman suggested that the full Senate Finance Committee
consider the Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) Board request of
funding for additional enforcement. He opined this is a reasonable
request, but that given the budget limitations imposed by the
Senate Majority, the decision whether to fund it could not be made
at the subcommittee level.
Senator Leman continued that the subcommittee recommends accepting
the $432,000 savings of the Permanent Fund Corporation. He stated
the subcommittee also recommends authorizing allocation of federal
receipts as requested by the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation
(AHFC) for temporary labor, although the subcommittee does not
recommend the additional positions and instead suggests the
Department employ an outside contractor. He commented he is
"hesitant" to increase staffing utilizing non-continuing funding.
Senator Leman next addressed the Long Term Care Ombudsman, stating
the subcommittee recommends fully funding this position and support
staff positions.
Senator Leman pointed out the Division of Treasury, Investment
Officer salary increases request is funded in the subcommittee
recommendation as well. He commented that a valid argument was made
to maintain the salaries of these positions at a level close,
although not equal, to counterparts in private industry; this is to
avoid "hemorrhaging" of the State's top investment officers.
Department of Law (cont.)
Senator Wilken clarified the subcommittee recommendation of an
unallocated reduction of $506,300 to the Office of Attorney
General. He explained this includes funding for salary increases
plus an additional $40,700 reduction. He summarized the allocation
to this BRU would be $344,800 according to the subcommittee report
and the reduction of $506,300 "would be spread throughout the
budget, which when you net it out, shows the negative $161,500"
reflected on the spreadsheet.
Co-Chair Donley noted a large increment of this Department's budget
has traditionally been for oil and gas litigation activities and he
noted the subcommittee proposes reduced funding for this. He asked
if the activities are "winding down" and inquired as to the nature
of Department testimony to the subcommittee on this matter.
Senator Wilken stated the subcommittee recommends the same amount
as approved by the House of Representatives. He qualified that
funding for this BRU is estimated each year and, if inadequate, a
supplemental appropriation is made.
SFC 02 # 58, Side B 04:55 PM
Co-Chair Donley understood the same.
Senator Wilken stressed this is an important expenditure because
these efforts generate more than expended. He agreed with Co-Chair
Donley that the BRU requires less funding since the resolution of
the 1995 "tax issue".
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